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March 16, 2010

Akwesasne team to play in newly formed Federal Hockey League

By DAN HEATH

DID YOU KNOW?


You can look back over the last 70 years at some of the area athletes and personalities who made headlines in area sports. Flashback will revive memories of great local athletes and outstanding team successes.

AKWESASNE — The Akwesasne Warriors are slated to play in the newly formed Federal Hockey League, starting in November.

Akwesasne is the fourth team to join the league. The other announced teams are the Danbury (Conn.) Whalers, the Thousand Islands Privateers and the Rome Frenzy.

The league has scheduled a press conference for Thursday in Broome County to announce a fifth team.

Warriors Director of Hockey Operations Pat Post said the A level league is a stepping stone to professional hockey.

"I'm very excited," he said. "I can't wait for the season to get going."

Post said he is in the process of selecting a head coach from a number of interested candidates.

The team is owned by Basem Awwad of Syracuse and has a weekly payroll of $5,050.

Tryouts for the 20-player roster — 17 active and three non-active — will take place in late April and May. The team is open to those 20 years of age or older with Canadian or dual citizenship.

General-admission tickets will cost $10 for each of the 30 home games. Season tickets are available for $240.

Post said the team will play at the 2,200-capacity A`Nowara`Ko:wa Arena, located at 36 Arena Road on the Akwesasne Reservation.

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Communications Specialist Brendan White said the council is excited to welcome the team.

"We are looking forward to having this semi-pro hockey team in our community and the opportunity to house it at one of our facilities. It's a great location for it."

Several members of the Akwesasne community have gone on to play hockey at the college level, White said. Current players include Ian Boots (Ohio State), Ally Bero (St. Lawrence University), her sister, Katelyn Bero (Syracuse University) and Amanda King (Potsdam State).

White said Ted Cook, hockey coach of the Salmon River High School Shamrocks, played at Niagara University.

Hockey and lacrosse are the two main sports played in the Akwesasne community, White said, noting the summer lacrosse games usually pack the arena.

"We anticipate the semi-pro hockey games will be well attended."

E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com

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